# Sign Regulations in Rockaway Borough, New Jersey

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Rockaway Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/rockaway-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6698538#6698538)

## At a glance

Rockaway Borough, New Jersey regulates 23 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single Business Location)s in the O-B Zone, G-B Zone, H-C Zone, GLI Zone, HT/LI Zone zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 15 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces), with a 10 ft from property line; 15 ft from property line if abutting street right-of-way. setback (Sec. §172-41A-D, §172-42E). Most commercial signs in Rockaway Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| O-B Zone, G-B Zone, H-C Zone, GLI Zone, HT/LI Zone | 5 | 15 ft | 15 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces) | — |
| B-C Zone | 4 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 16 | 30 in | 15 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### O-B Zone, G-B Zone, H-C Zone, GLI Zone, HT/LI Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign (Wall Sign) | — | — | — | — | Generally 1 per tenant/street frontage; see additional requirements | Attached and parallel to building face, not protruding more than 12 inches; if more than 3 inches, bottom at least 10 ft off ground; permitted on front of marquee/mansard/canopy. | — | §172-40A-F |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Business Location) | 15 ft | 15 sq ft per sign face (max 2 faces) | — | 10 ft from property line; 15 ft from property line if abutting street right-of-way. | 1 per commercial or industrial site development or 1 for each building/group of buildings under one management (see Multi-Business, below) | At least 10 ft from property line; at least 15 ft from property line if abutting street right-of-way. | — | §172-41A-D, §172-42E |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Business Location) | 15 ft (bottom of sign at least 10 ft above ground) | 15 sq ft | — | Min 15 ft from any street right-of-way or property line. | 1 per building/group/management ≥20,000 sq ft | At least 15 ft from any abutting street right-of-way or property line. | — | §172-42A-E |
| Digital Reflected-Light Time and Temperature Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §172-38A |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 1 banner: 30 sq ft max; 2 banners: 15 sq ft each | — | Ground-mounted: At least 10 ft from side line. | Max 2 per permit period | Must be wall- or ground-mounted on business owner's property. Ground-mounted banners: must be at least 10 ft from side line; may not be strung across any road or affixed to utility pole/other structure not on owner's property. | — | §172-39E(1)-(3), §172-36D |

### B-C Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Facade Sign (Wall Sign) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached and parallel to building face; specifics per §172-61D. | — | §172-40F, §172-61D |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | §172-40F |
| A-Frame Sign (permitted only in B-C zone) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §172-38I, §172-38O, §172-61D(13) |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | — | 1 banner: 30 sq ft max; 2 banners: 15 sq ft each | — | Ground-mounted: At least 10 ft from side line. | Max 2 per permit period | Must be wall- or ground-mounted on business owner's property. Ground-mounted banners: must be at least 10 ft from side line; may not be strung across any road or affixed to utility pole/other structure not on owner's property. | — | §172-39E(1)-(3), §172-36D |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | 10 ft from street right-of-way unless attached to building closer to line. | — | On premises only. | — | §172-43B |
| Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises. | — | §172-43C |
| Institutional Sign (School, Public Building, Church, Rest Home) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Minimum sign setbacks for zone. | — | On premises; observes minimum setbacks for zone. | — | §172-44A-D |
| On-premises Directional or Traffic Control Sign | 30 in | 2 sq ft (standard); up to 2'x3' (additional as allowed) | — | — | — | On premises; must conform to traffic code. | — | §172-46A, C |
| Garage/Filling Station Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 15 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | 1 per premises | Min 10 ft from property line (no portion less than 10 ft above ground). | — | §172-48A-B |
| Garage/Filling Station Directional Sign | 12 inches | 3 sq ft per sign (max height 12 inches) | — | — | 1 per entrance or facility | Over individual entrance or facility. | — | §172-48C |
| Garage/Filling Station Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | Inside property line | — | §172-48E |
| Garage/Filling Station Banner Sign | — | 1 banner: 30 sq ft max; 2 banners: 15 sq ft each | — | — | Max as allowed for banner | As for other banner signs. | — | §172-48F, §172-39E |

## Prohibited signs in Rockaway Borough

- Flashing, moving or animated signs are prohibited, except nonflashing, digital reflected-light time and temperature signs in specific zones, which must meet district requirements.
- Signs with lighting or control mechanisms that cause radio or television interference are prohibited.
- Any sign erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct or be attached to fire escapes, windows, doors, or other required openings for egress, ingress, or fire-fighting purposes, or which interferes with required ventilation, is prohibited.
- Hanging signs fixed to any tree, fence, or any electrical, telephone or other public utility pole are prohibited.
- Signs which simulate official directional or warning signs erected or maintained by governmental entities or public utilities are prohibited.
- Signs which may dangerously confuse or distract motorists or pedestrians are prohibited.
- Signs consisting of balloons, streamers, flags of any size (unless a flag has a qualified right to be displayed on property), posters, fluorescent paint, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners or similar devices, whether or not they contain a message, are prohibited (except banner signs as permitted).
- Portable or movable signs (not firmly imbedded in the ground or supported by other objects) are prohibited, except A-frame signs permitted in the B-C zone.
- Signs located in a public right-of-way or approved sight easement (if taller than 30 inches), except for those maintained by a governmental agency, are prohibited.
- Signs located, painted, or affixed on water towers, storage tanks, towers, or similar structures are prohibited.
- Signs located, painted, or affixed on trees, rocks or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs extending above the top or beyond the ends of the canopy, marquee, or mansard surface of the wall on which they are located are prohibited.
- Signs protruding more than 12 inches from the surface to which they are affixed are prohibited.
- Except for permitted A-frame signs in the B-C zone, signs mounted on wheels, vehicles, or made easily movable are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rockaway Borough

- Repainting or resurfacing of signs does not require a permit, though must comply with other ordinance provisions.
- Relocation of signs as required by the municipality does not require a permit.
- Exempt signs (see §172-47) do not require a permit provided all requirements are met.
- Public signs of a noncommercial nature, including safety, danger, no trespassing, scenic or historical point of interest signs, and signs erected by a public officer performing a public duty, do not require a permit.
- Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding two square feet and part of the building or attached as wall signs, are exempt.
- Nonilluminated name plates and building directories for nonresidential uses, not exceeding 12 square feet, are exempt.
- One nonilluminated or shielded illuminated name plate (not exceeding two square feet) is permitted for each single-family residence and is exempt.
- All street signs compliant with county, state or federal regulations are exempt. In case of conflict, stricter regulations apply.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Plans must conform to requirements stated on the application form.
- When application is made for a freestanding or pylon sign or an on-site directional sign, a site plan must be submitted as prescribed by the Land Subdivision and Site Plan Review ordinance.
- Special permit signs (including architectural, landscape, logo, and off-premises directional signs) must go through site plan review and Land Use Board approval.
- Off-premises directional signs and certain on-premises directional signs are subject to site plan review and Land Use Board approval.
- Freestanding pylon signs under §§172-41 and 172-42 require detailed sign, structure, and foundation plans to be submitted and approved by the Borough Engineer, bearing the signature and seal of a registered architect or professional engineer.
- For facade, building canopy, or marquee signs, the area, height, or dimensions must be approved by the Land Use Board as part of site plan approval.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Rockaway Borough, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rockaway+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rockaway-borough

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